Rahu is also called Rahu Dev, Head of the Demon Snake or Dragon’s Head. When the Moon moves in its orbit from South to North, it crosses the path of the Sun. This point of contact is called Rahu (North Lunar Node). Rahu Kala also called as Amavasya are festivals dedicated to Rahu. He was born to Sinhika (mother) and Viprachitti (father). His weapon is the scepter and eight black horses drive his chariot.
Indian texts describe Rahu as an important Navagraha (nine astronomical bodies). He is the king of meteros, a shadow entity and responsible for eclipses. Ascension of the moon is represented by Rahu in its precessional orbit around the earth.
Ketu and Rahu are generallty paired. Rahu Kala is considered as the inauspicious time during of the day which is under Rahu’s influence.
As per Hindu astrology, Rahu is linked with occult sciences and politicians and represents fear, materialism, confusion, mischief, obsession and dissatisfaction. In astrology, Rahu is believed to be a malefic planet and is an enemy of the moon and sun, just like Ketu. In Buddhist mythology, Rahu is mentioned in scriptures from the Samyutta Nikaya of the Pali Canon.
According to Puranic mythology, the Milk Ocean was churned by the asuras and gods to extract the exilir of mortality ‘Amrita’ from it. At the time, Rahu was present but overcome with pride. Amrit was being distributed by Vishnu’s female avatar, ‘Mohini’ to the Devtaas. Svarbhanu, a Danav, who was sitting in the row of the gods, drank the Amrit. He had turned immortal by the time the Moon God and Sun God found out. Svarbhanu’s head was cut off by Vishnu (Mohini) with a Sudarshan Chakra. Being immortal, Rahu didn’t die but his head and body separated. While the body came to be known as Ketu, his head came to be known as Rahu.
